I used to subscribe through Net Magazines at a substantial discount. I have never missed an issue in the three years I have used them.
I got the Tarrytown one “Subscription Billing LLC” for RMC yesterday and they wanted to bill me for two years. I had just placed an order for one year of RMC and my wife couldn’t figure out why they were billing me twice as I had already paid on line. I have the receipt for it through paypal. 
Some one had mentioned about maybe Carstens going under? Any truth in this rumor? I still haven’t gotten my first magazine yet. I quit taking RMC years back as they didn’t cover the things I was interested in, MR does.
Crooks everywhere I guess!!!
Bob
I heard elsewhere that there was a delay because of “printer issues.” Not sure if this was money-related, or they just didn’t get the copy to the printer on time. In any case, I picked up the April RMC at the LHS last week.
According to some other people , the issue was related to the printer acquiring some new system that got Carstens on something of a learning curve. Something that occasionally happens when someone harries off on a tangent and leaves clients running around playing catch up—[:-^]
One thing that is popular to do up here in the Great White North is to send it all back to the company that sent the unsolicited mail in the business reply envelope that usually comes with it. I always make sure my address is still intact when I stick it in their envelope along with all the other crap they sent me. They pay a hefty postal rate ( I think it’s three times the regular postal rate) on those business reply envelopes they get back, and doing this to them gets you off mailing list real fast.[}:)]
Brent
I try to do the same thing with every credit card application that comes with a postage paid return envelope. Everything else ends up in the circular filing cabinet.
Its a bit of a stretch but perhaps these subscription offers are being bought at a volume discount then resold at a lower price? That brings up the old argument of buy local or online where its often cheaper. Since there are only a handful of model trains magazines, I’d rather pay a bit more to the originator of the magazine. If this hypothesis is incorrect, I think both publishers ought to be extra careful about their customers’ info. I’ve received one snail mail ad and one email ad so far for RMC… one tip off was while they knew my expiration date, they stated it takes two months notice to avoid missing an issue. Do successful publishers take two months to get a renewed subscription the next edition? (well maybe the bi-monthly Narrow Gauge & Short Line would) Roy
Hi,
This scam first appeared a number of years ago and I was one of the potential victims. Being naturally suspicious, I contacted Kalmbach and they confirmed that it was a hoax. Since then, I have had two more attempts to donate money. Also, I got a similar offer on the renewal of my RMC subscription.
My solution was very simple. Every three months or so, I call the subscription department at Kalmbach and we review my subscriptions (MR, T, CTT, CT, etc.) and whatever else is new, and renew as needed. I realize that you can also do the same thing via this website, but I prefer talking to the Kalmbach rep - always an excellent experience!
ENJOY,
Mobilman44
Actually, many of these aren’t frauds (Publisher’s Access Service and several others in Florida). I did report them to the USPS, only to find that they actually DO renew your subscription. It just costs more than going right to the publisher. But the real scam is that they generally send you a renewal notice for a 2 year subscription every year. Before you know it, you have paid them hundreds of dollars and have 3 or 4 lifetimes of subscriptions.
Caveat Emptor.
I recieved the same two here in Kansas City this week.
I do the same thing but I make sure that I cut off all indications of my information. I also stuff in a bunch of other junk mail that I save for the occasion. They not only get a bunch of some other companies JUNK MAIL, but it puts the return envelope over the weight and thickness allowed so it won’t go through the sorting machines and has to be handled manually. They are charged extra instead of the flat rate they get for normal mail. [(-D]
Blue Flamer.